Drinkers earn 10 to 14% more money at their jobs than nondrinkers – and men who drink socially, visiting a bar at least once a month, bring home an additional 7% in pay, according to a new study.

“Social drinking builds social capital,” says Edward Stringham, Ph.D., an economics professor at San Jose State University, and co-author of the report. “Social drinkers are out networking, building relationships, and adding contacts to their BlackBerries that result in bigger paychecks.” [Validation!]